PeppTalks with Jeanne Pepper

Amy has spent her career at the intersection of leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, and human potential. She has served as CMO of Fortune 500 and public technology companies, led marketing for an AI unicorn, served as CEO of mission-driven organizations, and built platforms designed to help people see what is possible in themselves and others. Episode 338 Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper Guest: Amy...

Shawn LaRé Brinkley, MS, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the visionary CEO and President of Living Loved Healing. With over a decade of clinical experience, she has dedicated her career to understanding the "why" behind the human experience, working with individuals and couples to navigate the complexities of trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Her practice...

Andrea Suchin is a dedicated caregiver advocate, entrepreneur, and the visionary founder of Wuggle™ (https://wuggleme.com/), a wellness company centered on improving nervous-system health through restorative sleep. Her professional mission is deeply rooted in her personal history; after her husband, Craig, was diagnosed with behavioral frontotemporal dementia (FTD) at age 54, Andrea’s world shifte...

Dr. Marie-Ange Tagne is an author and distinguished electrical engineer whose work impacts the lives of billions of technology users around the world. Her career is built on a foundation of technical excellence and a relentless drive to bridge the gap between complex engineering and user-focused product strategy. She has held pivotal roles at some of the world’s most influential technology compani...

Michelle Edgar is a multifaceted force in the entertainment industry, celebrated for her ability to build brands and ignite change. With over a decade of executive leadership, Michelle has shaped creative marketing strategies and secured high-level partnerships at industry giants including Epic Records, ICM Partners, Warner Bros. Records, and Redlight Management. As Head of Partnerships at LiveXLi...

Jeremy Hamburgh is a California-based coach and the founder of My Best Social Life , an organization dedicated to helping neurodivergent adults develop the skills necessary to find community, friendship, and romantic connections. Before transitioning into his current role, Jeremy served as a prosecutor in New York City, where he honed his ability to communicate persuasively. He draws a direct para...

Sunny Stone is a multifaceted artist, producer, and filmmaker whose work is as profound as her journey of survival is resilient. Born in New York, Sunny’s early childhood was defined by unimaginable adversity. After being kidnapped and subsequently abandoned by her mother, who struggled with severe mental illness and substance addiction, Sunny and her older brother were forced to navigate a world...

Gina Maier Vincent is a visionary thought leader, master motivator, author, and empowerment entrepreneur renowned for her vivacious energy and unfiltered approach to transformation. Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Gina brings a distinct, fast-paced, straight-shooting East Coast drive to her current home in Southern California, where she guides high achievers worldwide to step out of stag...

Breon Rydell is a celebrated Irish singer-songwriter, poet and intellectual whose creative output is inextricably linked to a childhood defined by a staggering act of violence. At the hear of his interview with Jeanne is the discussion of the unexplained murder of his brother at the hands of classmates when Breon was just a young boy. This early encounter with senseless brutality left an indelible...

Robert Mestman is an Orange County Senior Deputy District Attorney who has dedicated more than 24 years to criminal prosecution and public safety. A graduate cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law with an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Robert has spent the vast majority of his professional life in public service. His career is defined by a commitment to the fair administr...

In this compelling episode, Jeanne sits down with Dominic to explore a journey of radical change. Raised in the Inland Empire of Southern California by his single mother, Marysol, Dominic grew up alongside three brothers in an environment where the absence of a figure and systemic pressure created significant hurdles. Come learn how this young man's story of resilience can inspire others to change...

Eric Lichtblau is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and best-selling author known for his deep dives into the most pressing issues of national security, civil rights, and political extremism. Having spent years at The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, Lichtblau has built a career on exposing the hidden structures of power and prejudice. His latest work, American Reich: A Murd...

Jill Lloyd joins this episode to share a journey defined by both professional excellence and uncanny timing. For 33 years, Jill was a cornerstone of the Orange County community, serving as the high-profile publicist and media face of the OC Fair. In her interview, she reflects on the high-energy world of community events and how her decades spent managing public narratives eventually prepared her...

Trip Oldfield serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) of Orange County, a non-sectarian organization dedicated to strengthening the community through comprehensive social services. For over 45 years, JFCS has acted as a vital safety net, providing a wide array of programs designed to support individuals and families through life’s most difficult trans...

In this episode, host Jeanne Pepper and Addie discuss the intersection of trauma and the public eye. They explore the emotional toll of accountability and the strength required to stand firm when the world is watching. Addie’s insights serve as a vital reminder that healing is not a linear process, but a courageous act of defiance. Her story isn't just about what happened to her; it’s about who sh...

In this episode, Brandi joins host Jeanne Pepper for a raw and necessary conversation about the reality of filicide and the "broken" status of child welfare departments. They discuss the legislative hurdles Brandi has overcome, the bipartisan support for The Rowan Act, and the importance of holding CPS directors accountable for failures in background checks and investigation protocols. It is a sto...

Shereen Rahming is a children’s author, educator, and activist whose journey began in Belize, where she was born and raised before bringing her vibrant cultural perspective to Southern California. Her background as an immigrant and a woman of color deeply informs her work as an educator and her commitment to fostering inclusive environments for children. While living in Ladera Ranch, Shereen becam...

We are joined by a guest who is both a distinguished educator and a cornerstone of the host's own family: Richard Bernstein. Richard is a former honors civics teacher who dedicated twenty years to the Los Angeles Unified School District at Vermont High School. Teaching in an area so volatile it was designated for "combat pay," Richard developed a unique perspective on the failures and successes of...

While studying at UC Irvine, Adam began teaching chess at local elementary schools, including Foothill Ranch Elementary School. What started as a collegiate endeavor quickly blossomed into a mission-driven career. He realized that chess was more than just a game; it was a vehicle for teaching critical thinking, patience, and confidence—skills especially vital for at-risk youth. This passion led to...

We are joined once again by Dr Michael GIlman, a devoted father who first shared his insights on the show during episode 304, alongside autism expert Melissa Reiner. While his previous appearance touched on the medical and societal landscape of neurodiversity, this episode pulls back the curtain on the Gilman family's private world, revealing a story of extraordinary resilience in the face of over...

We are honored to welcome back Melissa Reiner , M.Ed., a titan in the field of autism and behavioral communication. While our previous conversation in Episode 304 laid the groundwork for understanding neurodiversity, this episode tackles the urgent need for authentic representation. As the once long-standing consultant for the hit television series The Good Doctor , Melissa reveals how she worked...

Julie Anderson-Holburn and Terra Newell: The Family Court Nightmare: Coercion, Corruption, and Crisis We welcome two fearless forces in the fight against abuse: Terra Newell, domestic violence survivor and victims' rights activist, and investigative journalist Julie Anderson-Holburn. This powerful panel moves beyond typical true crime to dissect the systemic failure faced by victims after they lea...

Journalist Julie Anderson-Holburn reveals the shocking findings of her investigative work, which centers on alleged corruption in Orange County, California, and Arizona Family Courts. She discusses the pattern where judges are accused of ignoring credible evidence of abuse (sexual, physical, and psychological), and instead, prioritizing the profits of court-appointed "expert" evaluators, reunifica...

In this episode, Pepptalks goes on location at Working Wardrobes corporate offices and facilitates a powerful exchange between two impactful leaders dedicated to restoring dignity through service. We are joined by Bonni Pomush , the CEO of Working Wardrobes , and Valerie Bailey , the visionary founder of the I Found Me Foundation . This episode goes beyond a standard interview as we go on-site for...

In this profoundly moving and intimate episode, I sit down with my dear friend, Valerie Hirsh, to confront the unimaginable: the loss of a child. Valerie, the mother of the late Jack Hirsh, shares the personal story behind the creation of the Jack Hirsh Endowed Fund for the Child Life Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Episode 314 Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper Guest: Valerie Hirsh Produ...